Title 14 CFRs Basics for Air Traffic Control

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key CFR terms, definitions, and concepts from the Basics for Air Traffic Control module.

Title 14 CFRs (CFRs)

The set of federal aviation regulations governing operation of aircraft in the United States; also called CFRs and FARs; organized by Part, Subpart, and Section.

FARs

Federal Aviation Regulations; rules for operation of aircraft within the United States; issued by the FAA; apply to all aircraft, including foreign.

Administrator

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator or a person to whom authority has been delegated.

Air Traffic

Aircraft operating in the air or on an airport surface, excluding loading ramps and parking areas.

Air Traffic Clearance

ATC authorization for an aircraft to proceed under specified traffic conditions within controlled airspace to prevent collisions.

Aircraft

Device used or intended for flight; in ATC terminology may include the flight crew.

Airplane

An engine-driven, fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings.

Airship

An engine-driven, lighter-than-air aircraft that can be steered.

Glider

A heavier-than-air aircraft that is supported in flight by the air against its lifting surfaces and whose flight does not principally depend on an engine.

Balloon

A lighter-than-air aircraft that is not engine-driven and sustains flight through buoyancy or heated air.

Unmanned Aircraft (UA)

An aircraft operated without an onboard pilot.

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)

An unmanned aircraft and its associated elements related to safe operations, including control stations, control links, and data link; consists of UA, control station, and data link.

Small Unmanned Aircraft

An unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including all payloads.

Helicopter

A rotorcraft that depends principally on engine-driven rotors for horizontal motion.

Airport

An area of land or water used for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, including buildings and facilities.

Alternate Airport

An airport at which an aircraft may land if landing at the intended airport becomes inadvisable.

Air Traffic Control (ATC)

A service to promote the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic.

Flight Level (FL)

A level of constant atmospheric pressure referenced to 29.92 inches of mercury; three digits represent hundreds of feet (e.g., FL250 = 25,000 ft).

Reporting Point

A geographical location used to report the position of an aircraft.

Positive Control

Control of all air traffic within designated airspace by ATC.

Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)

Equipment (airborne and ground) used to measure slant range distance from the DME NAVAID in nautical miles.

Flight Plan

Specified information relating to the intended flight filed with ATC.

Nautical Miles (NM)

Unit of distance used in aviation; nautical miles unless otherwise specified.

Statute Miles (SM)

Unit of distance used in aviation for certain measurements where applicable; different from nautical miles.

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) / Zulu

World time standard used in ATC; aviation uses UTC and often refers to it as 'Zulu' time.

IFR (Instrument Flight Rules)

Flight operations conducted under IFR; requires ATC clearance and appropriate equipment and training.

VFR (Visual Flight Rules)

Flight operations conducted under VFR; pilots maintain own separation from other aircraft using visual references.

Altimeter

Instrument that measures altitude by ambient air pressure; set to local pressure below 18,000 ft MSL and to 29.92 above 18,000 ft MSL.

Class A Airspace

Airspace from 18,000 ft MSL up to and including the upper limit (varies); IFR clearance, IFR rating, two-way radio, IFR equipment, and transponder with Mode C/ADS-B required.

Class B Airspace

Airspace around the nation's busiest airports; requires ATC clearance, two-way communications, appropriate equipment, Mode C transponder, and ADS-B.

Class C Airspace

Controlled airspace around some airports; requires two-way communications with ATC and appropriate equipment; entry/operational procedures vary by segment.

Class D Airspace

Airspace around airports with operating control towers; two-way communications with ATC required to operate within designated dimensions.

Class E Airspace

Controlled airspace not designated as A, B, C, or D; includes various segments where ATC clearance or communications requirements depend on location.

Class G Airspace

Uncontrolled airspace outside the designated controlled airspace; standard VFR weather minimums apply; no ATC clearance required.

Two-way Communications

Ability to send and receive communications with ATC on the appropriate frequency; required in many controlled airspaces.

ATC Certification

Requirements to become an air traffic control tower operator, including age, character, English proficiency, medical standards, and passing written and practical tests.

Part 101E (Hobbyist UAS)

Unmanned Aircraft System regulations for hobbyists; operation within 5 statute miles of an airport; no ATC clearance; weight limit around 55 pounds; tower may acknowledge but not approve.

Part 107 (UAS)

Regulations for small unmanned aircraft systems; authorization required to operate in certain airspace; ATC separation not provided.

Right-of-Way (Distress)

Aircraft in distress has right-of-way over all other traffic.

Right-of-Way (Head-on)

When aircraft approach head-on, each should alter course to the right.

Right-of-Way (Converging)

When converging, the aircraft to the right has right-of-way; for different categories, specific priority rules apply.

Right-of-Way (Overtaking)

The overtaken aircraft has right-of-way; the overtaking aircraft shall pass well clear on the right.

Right-of-Way (Landing)

Aircraft on final approach or landing have right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or on the surface; sequencing is controlled by ATC at towered fields.

Minimum Safe Altitudes (VFR)

Altitude requirements for safe operations: 1000 ft above the highest obstacle in congested areas, 500 ft above surface in non-congested areas, with helicopter exceptions.

Maximum Speeds (VFR)

General speed limits under VFR: often 250 knots below 10,000 ft MSL; 200 knots in some Class B/C/D segments near airports.